Revolving door safety system



NOV. 15, 1966 T, PACE 3,285,209

REVOLVING DOOR SAFETY SYSTEM Filed Feb. 12, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTO RN EY Nov. 15, 1966 T. PACE 3,285,209

REVOLVING DOOR SAFETY SYSTEM Filed Feb. l2, 1965 2 Slfleets-Sheel 2TlclJE.

INVENTOR /am//J P445 'i427 154i @u 'SYM f@ ATTORNEY United States PatentO 3,285,209 REVOLVING DOOR SAFETY SYSTEM Thomas Pace, 253 W. 73rd St.,New York, N.Y. Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,115 Claims. (Cl. 109-8)This invention relates to a revolving doo-r safety system and inparticular is directed to a revolving door locking mechanism for holdingfast a revolving door in response to an intelligence stimulus initiatedlby a desire to intercept Iand apprehend an interloper or thief.

In ibanks, hotels `and other institutions dea-.ling with the generalpublic and wherein valuable and the like are likely to be stored, thereis a temptation on the part of the criminal oriented to partake of suchvaluables through the connivance of forceful means, such as guns,threatening notes, and etc., and thereafter absoond through the vgeneral.public entrance into the ambient surroundings of the community.

Invariably, the entrance and exit doors of such institutions arerevolving doors, since they appear to :be the most convenient andreliable from a view of operation, space, drafts and space occupied.Such doors and their operation as to the apprehending of abscondngthiefs are .the subject matter of the instant application.

In general, the invention consists of a revolving door having at .theupper portion thereof an electrically driven locking mechanism, remotelyoperated .by `a person having access to the control mechanism, whichlocks the doors in a position so `as to trap anyone within the coniinesof the revolving door between the outside area and the area inside thebuilding. The release 05E such mechanism, to lfree the locking mechanismand thereby permit the door to revolve, is also remotely controlled soas to permit the locking mechanism to re-cycle and set for another cycleolf operation.

l It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improvedsafety control system for apprehending offenders.

Another object of the linvention is to provide a revolving door remotelycontrolled locking system for confining undesirables lwithin thecontines of the said revolving door.

Another object of the invention is to provide revolving door saffetysyste-m which can he remotely controlled for locking the said revolvingdoor and thereafter released for re-cycling to permit a new cycle lofoperation.

Other lob-jects and advantages will -be readily discernalble from areading of the specifications and a study of the accompanying drawingsand wherein;

FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of a public accommodation enclosure and arevolving door for the convenience of incoming and outgoing patrons.

FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged plan view of a revolving door similar toFIGURE 1 and a locking-release mechanism according to the invention.

FIGURE 3 shows a sectional view through the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 shows a partial plan View of FIGURE 3 and the lock-release4mechanism in engagement position.

FIGURE 5 shows a detail of the release mechanism for disengaging thelocking device from the revolving door.

FIGURE 6 shows a schematic control diagram for operating thelock-release mechanism according to the invention.l

FIGURE 7 shows a circumferentially slotted camtype plate revolvingattachment for receiving in locking engagement the lock-releasemechanism.

Now referring to the draw-ings, keeping in mind that similar or likeparts will be designated hy the same reference numbers, there is 4shownparticularly in FIGURES 1 and 2 an accommodation enclosure 1 for .thegeneral public 3,285,209 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 ice where access theretoand exit therefrom is through a revolving door type structure 2.

In general, the revolving door structure 2 is comprised of a cylindricalcentral :column or beam 3 to which is attached four elongated panels 4arr-ange in a cross-like Afashion so that the panels yare orthogonal toeach other and encompass quarter sections of Va circular plaintransverse or radial to the column. The four panels and column revolveas a single unit within a cylindrical-like shell or enclosure 6. Thesaid cylindrical-like enclosure 1 comprises a pair of oppositely spacedquarter wall segments 7 and 8, each having an arc whose lengthencompases a quarter segment of the revolving door. The other quartersegments 9 and 10 are open spaces for exposure internally and externallyof the enclosure 1, through which the general public appears and uses.

A-top the revolving door structure 2 and attached to the upper portionof wall segments 7 and 8, there is an enclosure 11 having disposedtherein a lock and release mechanism, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, andforming in part the subject matter of this invention. In particularthere is shown in said enclosure 11 a base 12 having centrally vorienteda hole 13 for receiving structural revolving door column 3, the said`column being pivot-ally supported in a hearing support 14 atop of saidhole and base.

The bearing support 14 has reposing thereon along one of its exposedsurfaces 15a, a cantilever-like slotted cam :plate 15. The cam plate 15is centrally drilled to permit the journalling of column 3 therein andtherethrough. The column and cam plate are each axially slotted atquarterly spaced positions 16r to permit key members 17 to snugly reposein keyways defined by said slots and thereby permitting the rotation o-fthe cam plate with the rotating column and door as a single integratedunit. Along the outer periphery of said cam plate there are slots 18spaced at quarterly intervals and each disposed to lie at a positionmidway between the angles formed by a pair of adjacent panels formingthe revolving Idoor when .the said plate is positioned on the supportingcolumn 3. The outer periphery of the cam plate between adjoining slots19 takes on a a spiral-like contour so that adjacent sides 20 yand 21 ofeach slot `are unequal in a radial direction. The reason Ifo-r this willbe described later.

Along the .base 12 of the enclosure 11 and' attached thereto along theouter periphery thereof is a relay operated mechanism assembly 22comprising a solenoid coil l23 wound about an elongated plunger orarmature arm 24, and `supported .by a pair of spaced apertured brackets25 and 26. The hracket support arm `guides the plunger in a directiontowards the said cam plate so as to position same in one of the camslots to effect the stoppage thereof in its rotational movementscorresponding to the movements of the revolving door.

Mounted to the plunger arm 24, intermediate the said spaced apartbrackets 25 and 26 is a disc-like washer 27 forming the support for coilspring 28 surrounding the said plunger between the support washer Iandbracket 26. Inward movements of the plunger, away yfrom the cam plate,compresses the spring 28, and release of the said plunger from theholding action initiated by the solenoid y23 causes the spring to expandand force the plunger arm outward toward t-he cam plate and into one ofthe slotted portions thereof.

Attached to the plunger arm 24 intermediate the solenoid coil 23 andbracket 26 is -a shoulder piece or bracket 29, radially protruding fromthe plunger and disposed to intercept a holding plate 30 forming aportion of a holding relay device 31 mounted to the base 12 of enclosure11 and positioned transversely to relay mechanism 22.

'Ihe holding relay device 31 comprises a holding solenoid coil 32surrounding an elongated armature plunger arm 33 which is coextensivewith a heavier arm 34 and which is in turn supported by a pair of spacedapart apertured bracket-s 35 and 36. At the extremity of said arm 34,remote from the solenoid coil 32, there is pivotally attached theretowithin a recessed portion 35 thereof, a holding plate 30, pivotallysupported about the center thereof by support pin 37. The holding platehas freedom of motion in a counter-clockwise direction to an -angularposition as defined by bearing surface or stop 38 forming the extremityof arm 34. The holding plate is restored to its original position, theaxial direction of the `arm 34, by :a restoring spring 39. The plate isiixedly held in this axial direction by that rear portion of the plate40 residing on surf-ace 41 Iforming a side of the recess 35.

In operation, while the revolving door is free to rotate,

relay mechanism 22 has its plunger ar-m 24 withdrawn,

against the pressure of coil spring 28, it being held in this positionby the abutment of the shoulder Abracket 29 attached thereto with theholding plate 30 forming a part of the holding relay device 31. Torelease plunger 24, momentary contact control button 42, shown incontrol diagram of FIGURE 6, is impressed so as t-o actuate solenoid 31.The actuation of coil 31 causes plunger 34 to withdraw against anormally operative restoring 4force thus permitting the disengagementabuting bracket 29 and plate 30 and the plunging forward of arm 24 in adirection to intercept the 4cam plate. The plunger ar-m engages the -rstavailable cam slot, thereby causing the revolving door to stopimmediately. It may be possible at certain times that because of thehigh speed of the revolving door, the plunger will not immediatelyintercept the first available slot. To avoid this limitation, the camplate has a spiral contour so that the plunger will have a highprotruding wall sl-ot to intercept the driving plunger.

Because of the orientation of the cam plate relative to the revolvingdoor panels, the door will stop at a position where each of the opposingenclosure walls 7 and 8 will embrace opposing one-quarter segments ofthe revolving door, the other segments being exposed to both theinternal and external enclosure parts. The wall segments of therevolving door, under lock conditions, permits the retention andcon-iinement of any persons within the sphere occupied by the wall anddoor segments to the detriment of any undesirable persons.

It may be appreciated, however, that confinement will ordinarily takeplace Within the segment 49 bounded by Wall portion 7 and that segmentdefined lby door panels 50 and 51. When such undesirables are soapprehended, it is possible to have innocent persons conned in thatsegment 52 diametrically opposed to segment 49. To release such innocentpersons, a door 53 is provided which opens into the enclosure.

To release the locking mechanism, momentary contact push-button 54 isimpressed to permit Vthe energization of relay coil 32, thereby pullingback plunger 24, until its shoulder bracket 29 intercepts plate 30.Plate 30 undergoes an angular movement, -as shown in FIGURE 5, until thebracket 29 is made freely clear thereof, at which time the plate goesback again to it-s original position. The plunger 24 thereafter again,through the abutment of bracket 29 and plate 30, is free from the camplate slots `and is ready for another cycle of operation.

There is shown in FIGURE 7 another arrangement of the cam slot andplunger. In particular, the slots and plunger tip are tapered to form amore positive mesh when they are operatively engaged. v

It may be appreciated that certain changes in form and design may bemade without detracting from the true purpose and intent of theinvention as defined and embodied herein.

Having dened the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In an enclosure having a revolving door for the entrance and exit ofthe general public, a remote control door lock and release systemcomprising,

(a) a revolving door including a central supporting column,

(b) an enclosure above said door and disposed to receive and support thecolumn at the upper extremity thereof,

(c) a -slot-ted cam plate within said enclosure and supported by saidcolumn and disposed to rotate therewith in a predetermined position,

(d) means including a pair of Ksolenoidally remotely operatedinteracting elongated plunger mechanisms each supported by saidenclosure, one of said mechanisms intercepting said cam plate along theslotted portion thereof in response to said door lock remote controlactuating the other solenoid operated mechanism to lock the door in apredetermined position, said other plunger mechanism being disposed tointeract with the rst plunger mechanism in response to the door releasecontrol for actuating the solenoid of said first plunger to permit therelease of said lirst plunger from the slotted cam plate and therebyunlock the door to permit another cycle of operation.

2. In an enclosure according to claim 1 and wherein said plunger meansis a relay operated armature surrounded by resilient means disposed tourge the plunger in =a direction to intercept the cam slotted plate.

3. In an enclosure according to claim 2 and wherein said resilient meansis a coil spring.

4. In an enclosure according to claim 1 and wherein said release meansincludes a relay actuated arm disposed to disengage from said plungermeans.

5. In an enclosure having a revolving door for the entrance and exit ofthe general public, a remote control door lock and release systemcomprising,

(a) a four-quarter segment revolving door including a central supportingcolumn,

(b) an enclosure above said door and disposed to receive and support acolumn at the upper extremity thereof,

(c) a cam plate having tapered slotted portions along the peripherythereof, each slot positioned midway each segment of the door within thesaid enclosure and supported by said column and disposed to rotatetherewith in a predetermined position,

(d) means including a pair of solenoidally remotely operated interactingelongated plunger mechanisms each supported by said enclosure, one ofsaid mechanisms intercepting said cam plate along the slotted portionthereof in response to said door lock remote control yactuating theother solenoid operated mechanism to lock the door lin a predeterminedposition, said other plunger mechanism being disposed to interact withthe first plunger mechanism in response to the door release control foractuating the solenoid of said irst plunger to permit the release ofsaid irst plunger from the slotted cam plate and thereby unlock the doorto permit another cycle of operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,022,684 4/ 1912Kleinbaum 109-8 1,361,317 12/ 1920 Stempkowski 292--144 1,406,788 2/1922 Weinmann 109-8 1,558,058 10/ 1925 Spottswood 109-8 1,952,393 3/1934 Tigue 109-8 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

1. IN AN ENCLOSURE HAVING A REVOLVING DOOR FOR THE ENTRANCE AND EXIT OFTHE GENERAL PUBLIC, A REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK AND RELEASE SYSTEMCOMPRISING, (A) A REVOLVING DOOR INCLUDING A CENTRAL SUPPORTING COLUMN,(B) AN ENCLOSURE ABOVE SAID DOOR AND DISPOSED TO RECEIVE AND SUPPORT THECOLUMN AT THE UPPER EXTREMITY THEREOF, (C) A SLOTTED CAM PLATE WITHINSAID ENCLOSURE AND SUPPORTED BY SAID COLUMN AND DISPOSED TO ROTATETHEREWITH IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION, (D) MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OFSOLENOIDALLY REMOTELY OPERATED INTERACTING ELONGATED PLUNGER MECHANISMSEACH SUPPORTED BY SAID ENCLOSURE, ONE OF SID MECHANISMS INTERCEPTINGSAID CAM PLATE ALONG THE SLOTTED PORTION THEREOF IN RESPONSE TO SAIDDOOR LOCK REMOTE CONTROL ACTUATING THE OTHER SOLENOID OPERATED MECHANISMTO LOCK THE DOOR IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION, SAID OTHER PLUNGERMECHANISM BEING DISPOSED TO INTERACT WITH THE FIRST PLUNGER MECHANISM INRESPONSE TO THE DOOR RELEASE CONTROL FOR ACTUATING THE SOLENOID OF SAIDFIRST PLUNGER TO PERMIT THE RELEASE OF SAID FIRST PLUNGER FROM THESLOTTED CAM PLATE AND THEREBY UNLOCK THE DOOR TO PERMIT ANOTHER CYCLE OFOPERATION.